Handle-bar for bicycles



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. F. E. INGRAHAM HANDLE BAR FOR BIGYGLES.

Patented J an. 1 l 1898".

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' HANDLE. BAR FOR BIGYGL'B S. No. 597,001. Patented Jan. 11, 1898.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK ELLSYVORTH lNGRAl-IAM, OF LITTLE FALLS, NEXV YORK.

HANDLE-BAR FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,001, dated January 11, 1898.

Application filed August 8, 1 8 9 6 To all whom it may concern:

Be it kn own that I, FREDERICK ELLSWORTH INGRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Little Falls, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Handle-Bars forBicycles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in handle-bars for bicycles; and the object of my improvement is to provide a handle-bar which may be quickly raised or lowered by the rider while in motion and without necessitating the removal of the hands from the grips of the bar. I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevated view of the invention, parts being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the handle-bar as it appears in the operation of adjustment. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the central portion of the handle-bar. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the grip. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the grip on line 2 2, seen from the rear. Fig. 6 is a top elevation of one of the cams. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the grippingteeth. Figs. 8 and 9 show modified forms of my invention.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the different views. 1

Arepresents the head-post, which is connected in the ordinary way to the steeringhead of the bicycle.

B represents a sleeve rigidly attached to thehead-post and is provided at one end with a reduced portion G. The edge of said portion is provided with projections or teeth D.

E represents the handle bar, which is loosely mounted in the sleeve.

F represents a collar adapted to slide longitudinally on the handle-bar and is provided at one end with a number of projections or teeth G, adapted to engage with the teeth of the sleeve. This collar is further provided with a cross-piece H, adapted to engage a longitudinal slot I on the handle-bar and prevent the collar from rotating on the bar.

J represents an annular shield provided with an inwardly-projecting portion K. This shield is secured to the handle-bar by means of a set-screw L.

A spiral spring M isinterposed between the Serial No. 602,198. (No model.)

portion K of the shield J and the smooth edge of the collar F. This spring exerts a constant pressure upon the collar and tends to keep the teeth of the collar and the sleeve in rigid engagement with each other. The cross piece H is connected with one of the grips of the handle-bar by means of a chain or cord N. This grip comprises a metal tube 0, having at its forward end a cam-face P, adapted to engage with a corresponding cam-face on the collar Q, said collar being rigidly secured to the handle-bar. The reduced portion of the tube is provided with a cork lining R, which renders the grips pleasant to hold. The rear end of the tube is provided with a ferrule S, which is cemented or otherwise secured to the cork lining.

T represents a swivel-joint of ordinary construction and is connected at one end to the cord N above mentioned and at the other end to a piston U. This piston is provided with ribs V, adapted to engage in slots V, out in the interior portion of the tube.

X represents a screw adapted to engage with the ferrule and the piston T and serves the purpose of tightening the cord.

Y represents two guide-pulleys for the cord.

In operating the invention the grip is turned by the hand to one side, causing the cam-faces to engage each other and force the grips rearwardly, imparting a similar movement to the collar F, causing the teeth on said collar to disengage with the teeth of the sleeve and assume a position as indicated in Fig. 2, permitting the handle-bar to rotate in the sleeve and be adjusted to any desired angle. In the modified form of my invention as shown in Fig. 8 the shield J extends over both ends of the sleeve and is permitted to slide longitudinally on the handle-bar. The shield in this construction is provided at one end with an inwardly-projecting portion K, adapted to engage with the smooth edge of the collar F, and at the other end with a threaded portion adapted to engage athreaded ring K. The spiral spring M is interposed between this ring and a collar E, which is rigidly secured to the handlebar. The shield transmits the pressure of the spiral spring to the collar E and causes the teeth of the collar and the sleeve to rigidly engage. The shield is further provided with a slot J,which enables the shield to clear the head-post A while sliding in a longitudinal direction.

In the modified form of the grips as shown in Fig. 9 I provide the handle-bar with a worm-- groove Eiwith which engages a pin O,secured to the tube or sleeve 0. By turning the grip the pin engages the worm-groove and forces the sleeve rearwardly and transmits its motion to the collar F by means of the cord N disengaging the gripping-teeth. The Wormgroove terminates in a recess E which looks the pin and holds the handle-bar in a position for adjustment without any exertion on the part of the operator. The teeth or projections of the collar and sleeve are preferably made wedge-shaped at the ends, as shown in Fig. '7, in order that they may easily slide into engagement with each other.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In ahandle-bar for bicycles the combination of the head-post carrying a sleeve B, said sleeve being provided at one end with teeth teeth of the sleeve, a shield J rigidly secured to the bar and provided with an inwardlyprojeoting portion K, a spiral spring engaging said portion and the said collar and adapted to exert a constant pressure upon the same causing the opposing teeth of the collar and the sleeve to rigidly engage each other, a crosspiece I-I secured to the collar and engaging a slot I on the bar, a tube or sleeve revolubly mounted on one end of the bar and provided with a cam-face P, a cam rigidly secured to the bar and adapted to engage the said cam-face, a cord connecting the gripping-collar and the sleeve, means for guiding and adjusting said cord, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

FREDERICK ELLSWORTII INGRAIIAM. \Vitnesses:

JoHN B. MCGUIRE, GEO. G. STEBBINS. 

